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“‘I don’t want to lose completely my EU citizenship’, and I’m looking to the possibilities, what elements of this EU citizenship, we can keep on an individual basis.

Speaking on LBC radio, Verhofstadt said Britons could be offered an “associate citizenship”, which will allow them to retain the free movement to live and work across the EU.

BORDER-FREE Schengen: Countries you can visit WITHOUT a passport

Mon, January 23, 2017

If you are an EU national, you do not need to show your national ID card or passport when you are travelling from one border-free Schengen EU country to another. The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and any other type of border control at their mutual borders.

According to the senior MEP, EU citizenship provides travellers with "consular help and aid" when facing difficulties.

Verhofstadt added: “I don’t say that this will be ultimately possible, but what I am looking for is, can we not respond positively to these individuals in the UK British citizens who are saying, ‘Please, please, please let us keep at least some elements of the EU citizenship’

“We’ve got to look to that request, because I think it’s very important that it is not the citizens of the UK who become the victim of this new situation and of the Brexit.”

Some Leave MPs have already opposed the EU chief’s proposed plan, as Theresa May has made it clear, her priority is to end the freedom of movement.

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Verhofstadt previously said Donald Trump is a threat to the EU

During the interview, the 63-year-old admitted that the EU needed a greater level of defence and political unity to combat the growing threats from Donald Trump, Russia and Islamic extremism.

The Belgian was also critical of US President Donald Trump who he believed continued to undermine the European Union after he suggested it would collapse following Brexit.